ADBC: 39 – Does It Matter If God Exists?

Here’s the premise of the conversation.

Previously in the conversation: What a gracious brother he is. Given a repeat question on the issue of good character, he produced another masterful piece of insight on the qualities that make for a noble and noteworthy character – check out the work on the definition of the word “kind”. My brother is an excellent musician and it’s fascinating getting the insight he shares on what it is that he enjoys about it – this is what I refer to as riveting reading. There is something almost confessional in reading what he says about his regard for engaging with others to gain knowledge. It’s not about agreeing or disagreeing, liking or finding uncomfortable. This is about reading a man’s approach to life and his current disposition where that’s concerned and I’m profoundly humbled that he should share in such a manner. All of that to say, this is all worth your while and worth your time in reading – do so by clicking here and please share the experience.

He sets the standard high in his writing and he then challenges me with questions of a similar nature. Do I have what it takes to meet the challenge? Here goes:

Q – Agnosticism is still atheism. True or false. Explain your answer. Do you believe. Do you believe there is a laziness or cop-out mentality inherent in agnosticism? Explain your view

I got this helpful definition of agnosticism from this speech on the matter. You don’t have to agree or like the speech, but hopefully, you can find the definition agreeable.

The existence of God is a strong claim as to what determines the ultimate reality. That claim can be accepted or rejected. The agnostic appears to think there is a third option but is there? Is there really an option that suggests that this issue just cannot be known? If that were the case then that means the claim to accept the existence of God might work as a preference but isn’t something that can truly be known and if it can’t be known then why to make a fuss over it. Why not just stick to what you can know and leave it at that? In a sense, then, through the backdoor, agnosticism is atheism without the hard work.

Laziness and a cop-out mentality to agnosticism? I mean those are harsh words to apply and they might be uncomfortable to many and as you know, my brother, I’m always one that endeavours to avoid being so insensitive and impolite. Agnostics are people too, you know. However, the answer to the question is yes, it is laziness and a cop-out mentality that drives agnosticism. The existence of God is not just a theoretical exercise to explain how things have come to be in a casual or intellectual fashion. It’s not an argument that you can change the channels to watch something else. It’s the kind of issue that does demand a response one way or the other. Indeed the action of not engaging with it is in itself a response.

Having said that, as we know, the way that people behave in itself lends itself to a sort of agnosticism. Professions can be made of a belief in the existence of God with a lifestyle that suggests something more of a shrug of the shoulders and a sense of it doesn’t matter if God exists or not, it’s much more convenient to live in a way that doesn’t draw attention to Him.

Q – When it comes to the afterlife, can you conceive or understand it at all? If you can, what do you envision? If you cannot, how can you hope for something you cannot conceive? Do you hope for the afterlife?

Great question and something that I acknowledge is an important part of the Christian faith. With the Bible being the source of that faith where the written form is concerned I refer to what is said on the matter in those books. Revelation chapters 21 and 22 give me a good idea of what to conceive with regard to the new heavens and the new earth where no corruption and sin will be present.

I cannot fully comprehend what there is ahead, other than that concept of a universe renewed and an eternity spent with the Creator in ongoing incorruptible bliss. The deal of why there is hope in the afterlife is more about who it will be spent with than everything it will look like and be like.

I have these ideas of who God characterised throughout Scripture. His greatness, His holiness, His brilliance, His wisdom, His peace, His justice, His beauty, His righteousness, His goodness, His majesty, His splendour, etc. Spending eternity with Him in a universe made right is what makes the afterlife so compelling to pursue and do so by endeavouring to be faithful to Him in this life.

Q – What have you learnt from non-biblical or worldly wisdom? I define “worldly wisdom” as that which people discover without divine revelation. Is there good wisdom that people can decipher without divine revelation? Or do you believe that there is no such thing as good human wisdom without God’s revealing it to us? Explain.

What a fascinating question. Worldly wisdom. Divine revelation. This is one of those questions that I’ve asked for wisdom to answer in as sound a way as possible and for all that I reserve the right to return to the response and adjust in the light of any further wisdom that helps on the matter.

What can a human know without divine revelation? This question genuinely baffles me. I think about the concept of wisdom. I think about the ability to take on what is known with what is understood and apply it in a fashion that can be considered righteous and beneficial. I think about those and wonder how can that really happen without divine revelation. How? I’m genuinely stumped.

Here’s what I know. There are lots of pursuits in life that have no need or regard for godly wisdom. They run fine as they are based on what you refer to as worldly wisdom. The worth of those pursuits though leaves me shrugging my shoulders. We, humans, are very good at occupying our time with pursuits that capture a lot of passion and involve a lot of investment of resources and energy and give people a great sense of accomplishment … but are without worth in the larger scheme of things.

I have done a number of studies in the post-compulsory educational system that again could be said to be based on worldly wisdom. Fascinating and intriguing and taking up a lot of expertise from people who spend a lot of time getting degrees, commendations and high regard for their work. Again though, what’s it really all worth?

This leads to the last part of the question you ask – is there no such thing as good human wisdom without God’s revealing it to us? If there was, I wonder what that says about God and us? Can we work out something that God doesn’t reveal to us what about it would make it good? Especially if we are the source of it rather than God?

I’ll admit to establishing a certain approach to God. Such is my wonder and love for God, I credit Him with everything good in the universe. I credit everything that can be discovered that is good to be sourced in Him. I think there are things that humans have done without acknowledging God in their work but could not be done without Him revealing it even if they don’t acknowledge Him for it.

While we’re exploring the matter, there’s this thing I’ve got a problem with about humans discovering and making much of things without God. It’s not that far from what I see as humanism or anthropocentrism. Humanism to a large degree places the human at the centre of it all and entrusts an extraordinary amount of whatever can be good in life based on themselves. Personally, I find that repulsive precisely because of what I’ve loved about finding things out from God and acknowledging Him as Creator, Sustainer and Judge. That reference to that authority and power settles everything well to me, whereas references to other more mortal ports of authority are as secure and trustworthy and lasting as the flowers that bloom then fade away.

That’s where I am with this question at the moment. It’s not to denigrate people as though they have to be fools unless they believe in God. There are a number of fools who do express a belief in God. To me, it’s just ill-advised to operate on a basis other than what God reveals.

---

Excellent questions, my brother, I trust my efforts are acceptable in engaging with them. Many thanks for that, bro.

Here are some questions for you:

Q – Describe the process of making music – the songs you have composed what has been the process in making them? Is collaborating an aspect of the creating process that you enjoy? Is it something that you’d consider doing with your niece, Deborah?

Q – Is morality objective applicable to all peoples in all countries at all times? If so is there enough for peoples to have an informed approach to morality? If not does that make moral judgements limited in their effectiveness?

Q – What would you do if you have £1m and why?

One day we will die, as far as we will be concerned it won’t matter after that. Yet while we live, we have words that can be of benefit to each other and readers that can at least make this existence somewhat purposeful. You do a highly commendable job of that, Hesediah. Thanks for your time.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden